The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1887-11-19
the SILVER STAR MILL.


A great deal of interest has been
manifested for. several days past
regarding the starting of the Sill
yer Star mill and the probable re.
suits of the proposed treatment OF
the ores of that mine. When Oh
Thursday morning it was definitely
ascertained that the mill was a sue.
cess, general expression of con-
graduation over the favorable re-
suits was INDUCED in. In great
many ways the people of Ketchum
were deeply interested in the mat
ter and now that there is certainty
of work being carried on all winter,
the smelters continued in active
operation, and an open road to
Smoky, a far better feeling exists
among, not only the business por-
ton of the community, but the
people generally. President Wright
and General Manager Hardess of
the p. & /. Company, with l.. c.
Trent, representative of Fraser &
Chalmers, spent most of the week
at the mill, and only left on We'd
nesday last, after feeling confident
that the operations of the mill
were complete success. The mill
is supplied with twenty stamps and
sixteen Frue vanners, producing
now about twelve tons of concen-
trates each twenty-fOur hours. Fifty
tons of ore are crushed which will
shortly be increased to sixty, when
an average of fifteen tons of con-
centrates will represent the daily
capacity Of the mill. The concen-
trates show an average value of
40 ounces in silver and 500 in gold
little or no lead being found.
THE FINDING OF THE GOLD
In the ore is an unlocked for fea-
ture. 1t is probable that Manager
Hardess will personally superintend
the working of the mill until such
time as the services of some one
fully competent in all respects is
secured to assume general charge
of the works. The pump and at
tendant machinery, which is located
some distance below the mill, on
Carrie Leonard creek, works to a
charm and provides the mill with
an abundant and never failing sup
ply of water. The building Of the
mill on its present site has provoked
some little criticism on the part OF
few who hold that it shoul have
been erected where the pump house
stands, thereby avoiding unneces-
sary expense. This presents very
plausible theory, but the projectors
of the mill, assisted by some of the
best mechanical minds of The coun-
try, favored the adopted plan, not
so much with the view of present
requirements rs the future needs
will demand. when air compressors,
hosting machinery and other
necessary adjuncts to deep mining
will be required to successfully OPP
crate the mine. The mill now in
full operation presents throughout
the day an enlivening scene, with
its mass of whirling wheels, pom
derous engines and complicated
machinery, which, under the glare
of thirty electric lights at night, is
greatly heightened. On Wednes-
day evening President Wright
closed a contract with Horace Lewis
for the hauling Of the ores from the
mill to Ketchum during the winter
months.
IN ANTICIPATION OF THIS,
A road has already been prepared,
and bridges built under the super
intendence of John Mason who is
probably the best man in the cOun-
try for the purpose. The erection
of a stable 60x30 feet and mess
house at the Thompson creek cross
ing will be commenced at once and
the blacksmith shops of Mr.. Lewis
opposite his forwarding house, will
also be converted into stables. Six
teen, and possibly more, four-mule
teams will be employed in hauling
the ore, the company obligating
itself to furnish at least twelve tons
each day. The carrying out of this
contract will give employment to a
number of teamsters and others,
who generally find but little to do
during winter in their line, all OF
which will tend to materially in
crease business in town. The keep
ing open of the road to Smoky
throughout the winter will also give
the miners on Boyle mountain and
vicinity an opportunity of getting
into town far more oftener than
heretofore and will also prove q
substantial benefit for Guyel
Springs, as under the new order Of
things there will be no difficulty in
making that we'll known resort a
visit at most any time and enjoying
the bathing facilities afforded there